Ross William Hamilton/The OregonianFrom left to right, Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian, state Sen. Suzanne Bonamici and Rep. Brad Witt participate in a debate at the City Club of Portland last month.

While polls show state Sen. Suzanne Bonamici leading in Oregon's Democratic congressional primary, some bad blood is surfacing between the two other major candidates in the race, state Rep. Brad Witt and Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian.

Those tensions were exposed at a Beaverton candidates forum last week when the candidates were given a chance to question each other. Instead of the softballs they have typically tossed at each other, Witt pitched a hardball at Avakian.

I wasn't at the event, but some who were told me that Witt asked Avakian if it was a conflict of interest to raise campaign cash from interests that he regulates in his job overseeing the Bureau of Labor and Industries.

Witt confirmed that this was the substance of his question. While the bureau has wide jurisdiction over wage and hour laws and civil rights that potentially affect just about anyone in Oregon, Witt said he was particularly concerned about the contributions Avakian had received from the construction industry.

The bureau sets prevailing wage rates for public works project, so the labor commissioner is closely watched by both the construction companies and the building trade unions.

A check of Avakian's financial disclosure records show that he's raised at least $30,000 from donors in the construction industry or from unions representing workers involved in the building trades.

"He says it's not a conflict," said Witt, "and I still think it's open to question."

Avakian's campaign consultant, Jake Weigler, responded that Avakian does not let contributions affect his policy positions. He "takes his responsibilities as labor commissioner seriously and conducts himself with integrity and impartiality," Weigler said.

"This is another example of a desperate candidate making baseless accusations despite his promise that he would run a positive campaign," Weigler added.

Avakian, of course, is not the only candidate who has received money from groups interested in his policy work. In recent weeks, Witt has received a total of $3,000 from five Salem lobbyists who just might be hoping he'll appreciate their help in the likelihood he'll be back in state Capitol for the February session.

It has surprised some political insiders that Witt would attack Avakian since both are so far behind Bonamici in the polls. That's led to speculation that Witt might be looking at challenging Avakian for labor commissioner next year.

Witt said he has no interest in running for that job and instead expects to seek reelection to his House seat if he loses the congressional primary.

This isn't the first time the two have tangled during the campaign. They both knocked head as they competed for labor support they had initially hoped would largely be in their own corner. The Witt forces were particularly unhappy with the decision of the Oregon State Construction and Building Trades Council to stay neutral and raised questions about whether allies of Avakian acted unfairly.